PR 8 - Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço

The trail traverses Ponta de S. Lourenço, the easternmost peninsula of Madeira Island, named after the caravel of João Gonçalves Zarco, one of the three discoverers of Madeira Island.
This peninsula, of volcanic origin, is composed of the islet of Cevada, Metade or Desembarcadouros, and the islet of Ponta de São Lourenço, Farol or Fora.
From the stone wall of Baía d'Abra onwards, the entire area belongs to the Regional Government, forming part of Madeira Natural Park.
The peninsula is classified as a Partial Nature Reserve, and the Ilhéu dos Desembarcadouro as an Integral Nature Reserve. The entire terrestrial area, and the marine area adjacent to the North coast, down to a depth of 50m, are part of the European Network of Sites of Community Importance – Natura 2000 Network.
The semi-arid climate and exposure to north winds determine the development of low-growing vegetation and the absence of trees, differing from the rest of the island and constituting true natural heritage.
At sea, with some luck, you may observe the world's rarest seal, known in Madeira as Lobo Marinho (Monachus monachus).
On the horizon you can spot, to the south, the Desertas Islands and, to the north, Porto Santo Island and its islets.